Osceola's Graduation Rate Increases And Continues To Be Better Than State Average

Posted on 12/16/2016

The Florida Department of Education's release of the 2016 graduation rates shows that on average more Osceola students are staying in school and graduating compared to their peers across the state. Overall, Osceola County improved its graduation rate to 82%, a 1.4% increase over last year and a 4.5% increase since 2011-2012. Osceola's graduation rate remains higher than Florida’s statewide graduation rate of 80.7%, which increased 2.8% over last year.

Other highlights include:
- All nine traditional high schools in Osceola County exceed the state's average for graduation rate.
- Gateway High, Harmony High, Osceola High, Poinciana High, and Zenith all have shown increases in their graduation rates since 2014-2015.
- The Osceola County School for the Arts and the Professional and Technical High School (PATHS) have 100% graduation rates.

Florida's graduation rate is a cohort graduation rate, which measures the percentage of students who graduate within four years of their first enrollment in ninth grade. Florida’s standard diploma is a rigorous credential for which standards and testing requirements have periodically increased, and yet Osceola’s graduation rate has steadily climbed, improving 16 percentage points since 2007-2008.

“Osceola County students, teachers, parents, and principals have worked very hard to focus on graduation as the first step in the journey to a successful future,” said Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace. “I am proud of their accomplishments, and we remain committed to achieving at even higher levels as we continue on our path from good to great.”